The Red Roses are one game away from a 38-game winning streak, clinching their eighth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title and completing their fifth consecutive Grand Slam. It is a record that speaks for itself.
While things seem to be going well on paper, the reality is a little different.
Despite captain Zoe Stratford being just one of 11 high-profile players absent from the England squad due to injury or pregnancy (including eight of the 13 forwards listed in the final World Cup squad), the new-look line-up has still passed all of the tournament’s tests with flying colors, averaging 60 points in their four wins so far.
Standing in their way is the undefeated French team. Les Bleus boast the best defensive record in the competition, scoring an 11-try bonus point win against Scotland. It will not be a walkover.
So Sunday will feature a reenactment of last year’s epic Grand Slam deciding match between arguably the two best teams in the tournament. Sky Sports tells you everything you need to know ahead of the final week of the epic Six Nations…
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Meg Jones reflects on the team’s culture as she discusses a touching video of three Red Roses attending Six Nations camp while pregnant. Watch England Meets England, co-produced with O2, on April 9th on ITV
Another pitiful Six Nations final match?
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Marley Packer and Megan Jones talk about the Red Roses’ incredible crowd ahead of their Six Nations opener against Ireland, which is expected to see another record attendance. Watch England Meets England, co-produced with O2, on April 9th on ITV
England won 43-42 against France at Twickenham last year, making it one of the most special matches in the history of the Women’s Six Nations, giving them their seventh successive victory in the tournament and their fourth successive Grand Slam title.
Despite England winning in the end, it was their comeback from 31-7 behind after 27 minutes that grabbed the headlines. France’s Joanna Grisez crossed the line in the 79th minute to score a late try and a successful conversion cut the gap to one point, but a fatal knock-on from the restart handed France a heartbreaking defeat.
But Les Bleus have good reason to be more optimistic this time around. England have conceded 76 goals across four matchdays in 2026, but at this stage last year they conceded just 29 (including 33 in the final game against Italy), in stark contrast to France’s 49 points in all competitions.
Maddy Founerty returns to Red Roses against France
The retirements of senior players such as Emily Scarratt and Abbey Dow, and the absence of Zoe Stratford and Abbey Ward, mean England are forced to play a less established side, especially due to the aforementioned injury troubles, but the return of World Cup-winning flanker Sadia Kabeya and back-rower Maddie Fornaty will give John Mitchell’s side a boost heading into Sunday.
The Red Roses also face the added challenge of playing away in Bordeaux, with record crowds expected to welcome them in the rugby capital of France, which will be a daunting atmosphere.
Head coach John Mitchell said: “France are a quality team and we have a lot of respect for what they bring and the way they play the game.”
“Playing against them in Bordeaux, in the heart of the South West, a region passionate about rugby with a vocal local crowd behind them, is exactly the kind of challenge they will enjoy, embrace and rise to.”
England are on a seven-game winning streak. Considering the circumstances, there’s no doubt that the eighth could be the most memorable yet.
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England rugby captain Megan Jones talks about the Red Roses’ culture and John Mitchell’s influence on it ahead of the Six Nations. Watch England Meets England, co-produced with O2, on April 9 on ITV
Jones: Crowd will be a big factor.
England captain Megan Jones told Sky Sports:
“I think the crowds this weekend will be huge, both for France and for us. I think they’ll either come in a hostile environment or they’ll be very noisy and there will be a lot of bands playing.
“We’ve actually been training with the sound on in the background to get used to it little by little.
“Actually, we’re pretty calm. I think we believe in what we have, so that’s good. We also believe in the game we play, so we’re definitely pretty calm.”
Ellie Kildan will return to her natural full-back role after playing as a winger for most of the competition.
“I know you’re excited. We love playing against the French and vice versa. So it’s going to be physical. It’s going to be a very big test match. And yeah, we’re looking forward to it.”
“(France) have a great forward pack. Nine Bulldogs are also perfect for them. She always creates chances. She is a threat.”
“Karla Alves, too, she’s playing very well. It’s a 10 for them. So if we can ease that connection, I think that will help. If we can also slow down their ball speed, that will help as well. But this is a rugby game.”
“We just need to score more points than them and hopefully we can come out on top.”
Elsewhere in the Six Nations…
Wales vs Italy
Keira Bevan has backed Wales head coach Sean Lynn despite the Welsh side having a chance of making it to the Six Nations.
Wales are aiming for a vital first win under new manager Sean Lynn.
The end of the tournament comes at a difficult time for Welsh rugby in the women’s, men’s and domestic games, with a tough final match of the tournament against Italy looming.
Their defense will be key. They have conceded 157 goals this season, and although they lost, they will face a spirited Italian side who came into the game coming off a record 44-12 win over Lin’s side last year, having scored five tries against England.
“We’ve got the right people in the right places, it’s just a matter of doing what we want them to do,” said Wales scrumhalf Keira Bevan, who publicly supported Lynn ahead of Sunday’s game. “Yes, we probably haven’t gotten the wins we would have liked, but we are performing better and getting better every game.”
It remains to be seen whether that belief will lead to victory for Lin’s team.
Ireland vs Scotland
Erin King leads Six Nations with 64 successful tackles
The Irish team, aiming for third place, will look for a chance against the Scottish team, who have overcome a disappointing season in which they conceded 11 tries in their last match against France.
Under the new coach, Sione Fukuoka will enter the match after losing three straight games, with their momentum disrupted by injuries. But there are reasons to be encouraged. The four tries they scored in their last game against a vaunted French defense was four times the record scored by Les Bleus’ other opponents.
However, there is no doubt that Ireland are the favorites to win. They boast a much stronger line-up than their opponents, led by hard-hitting captain Erin King, who tops the tournament in tackles, and star back Aoife Wefer, who scored back-to-back tries in the last match.
With an estimated record crowd packed into Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, the task may have been too high for a Scottish side with low morale.
England national team plays against France
Starting XV: 15 Ellie Kildan, 14 Jess Breach, 13 Megan Jones (c), 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Claudia Moloney-Macdonald, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer. 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Amy Cockayne, 3 Sarah Byrne, 4 Lily Ives Campion, 5 Delaney Barnes, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Faunati.
Substitutes: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Liz Crake, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Demelza Short, 20 Marley Packer, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Emma Synge.
France team play against England:
Starting XV: 15 Pauline Barratt, 14 Anais Grand, 13 Aubanet Roussette, 12 Theani Ferreux, 11 Léa Mury, 10 Carla Alves, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus. 1 Ambre Mwembe, 2 Mathilde Lazarco, 3 Assia Kalfaoui, 4 Siobhan Soqueta, 5 Madousou Fort-Laclo, 6 Axel Bertomeux, 7 Manae Feroux (c), 8 Lea Champon.
Substitutes: 16 Elisa Rifoneau, 17 Yulana Brosseau, 18 Rose Bernadou, 19 Chiara Zago, 20 Chloe Correa, 21 Charlotte Escudero, 22 Alexandra Chambon, 23 Lina Keiroi.
Women’s Six Nations final day match results
Sunday, May 17th
Wales vs Italy – Cardiff Arms Park (12.15pm kick-off) Ireland vs Scotland – Aviva Stadium, Dublin (2.30pm kick-off) France vs England – Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux (4.45pm kick-off)
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